Illuminated sign



April 30, 1940. A. H. BUCKLEY ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed April 24, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 30, 1940. KLE 2.198.590

ILLUMINATED S IGN Patented Apr. 30, 1940 PATENT OFFICE rLLUMrNATEnsiGN Arthur H. Buckley, Chicago', Ill.-, assignor of onehalf to John F. Keeley, Chicago, Ill.

Application April 24, 1939 serial No. 269,657

15 Claims.

The invention relates to illuminated exhibitors or signs. One object. of the invention is to provide an improved illuminated exhibitor or sign for displaying pictorial or advertising matter, which is adaptedto intermittently change a picture or other matter and to alternately focus the image on the screen and to bring the image out of focus and produce variations in the image on the screen while the exhibitor remains positioned and is illuminated to retain the image .on the SCI'GGIY'IQI" attracting and maintaining the attention of observers.

This object is attained primarily by providing is" mechanism for alternately bringing the sign into and out of focus so that while the sign is in focus,

it will be clearly legible and visible and during its mov'ementout of and back' into focus it will produce varying color effects.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple construction for producing this result, by means of 'a slidable and rotatable drum which carries the exhibitor. Other objects of the invention will appear from 25 the following-detailed description. 1

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined'by claims at the conclusion hereof. so In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a section taken on line l-'l of-Fi g.2 embodying the invention. Fig. 2 'is a section taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1 illustrating the drum in position assumed while the exhibitor thereon is in focus. Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 with the drum in the same position. Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 3, illustratingthe cylindrical exhibitor when it has been'shifted'out of focus for producing an illusion of color effects.

The mechanism embodying the invention is exemplified in a casing or box which is formed of sections to provide convenient access to the exhibitor and its operating mechanism. One section of the casing comprises integral side-walls 45 I and a back I I. The other section comprises an, integral bottom [4 and a front l2 provided with a window-opening l3 therein. The sections are adapted 'to .be slidably assembled with the bottom l4 fitting on' inturned flanges I5 on the 'side walls, l0 and back-wall H. The top of the casing is formed of a transparent plate l6 supportedbetw een angle-strips l'l secured to the side-walls ID and overlying flanges 18 on the side-Walls l0 and backwall II and .a' flange IS on 55 the front-wall l2. A cylindrically curved translucent plate 20, for example, of frosted glass, which functions as a screen is mounted in the window-opening l3,and is confined between inturned flanges 2i and angle-strips 22 which are curved conformably to said plate. 5 The sign comprises a drumwhich'is rotatable to successively bring sections of approximately 90 at one side thereof into horizontal alignment with the translucent screen 20 and is movable horizontally to and from said screen. The 10.

drum'comprises an end 24 which has a trunnion 25,-fixed to its center and an end 26 which is provided-with 'an out-turned flange 2'! which provides a central opening in said end. An electric lamp 28 is stationarily supported on a bracket 29 which is fixed to the bottom M of the casing. The supporting nipple 30 for the lamp extends through the opening in end .26 to permit the cylinder to be moved horizontally relatively to the plate 20. The periphery of the drum comprises a cylinder 3| supported on inturned flanges of drum-ends 24, 26 and of translucent material such as ground glass or Celluloid, and an exhibitor sheet 32 wrapped around cylinder 31 on which is printed, painted, or lithographed the picture or matter to be exhibited. This matter is divided into four segments, each with different matter thereon for an equal number of displays. The sectionally cylindrical screen '20 is adapted to expose one segment of the exhibitor so that, upon successive quarter-revolutions-of the drum, the sections of the sign will be successively illuminated and projected onto screen 20.

. Trunnion 25 on drum-end 24 is slidably supported on a stationary guide-plate 33 which is supported by a bracket 34 which is fixed to the bottom I4. and front l2 of the casing. The flange 21 of drum-end 26 is slidably supported on a bracket-35 which is fixed tothe front and bottom of the box.- Mechanism is provided for rotating the drum and moving it horizontally to bring the sections of the sign into and out of focus relatively to the translucent screen 20. This mechanism comprises an electric motor 36 and a speed-reducing gearing enclosed with the motor, as well understood in the art, and a shaft 38 drivenjby the motor through said gearing. A crank-arm 39 is fixed to shaft 38 for continuous rotation by the motor. The drum-shifting mechanism comprises an arm 40 fixed to a shaft 4| which is fulcrumed in lugs secured to the bottom |4 of the casing, and is provided with a forked upper end 42 which straddles the cylindrical outer end of trunnion 25. An arm 43 fixed to shaft 4| is provided with a fork 44 which straddles the flange 21 on drum-end 2B. The oscillation of arms 40, 43 moves the'drum bodily to and from the front of the box. A link 45 is connected to the outer, end of crank 39 and is .provided with a slot 46 for a stud 41 on arm 40. A spring 48 is connected to stud v4! and the 08.8. ing to press arms 40, 43 forwardly into position to hold the drum in its forward position where its periphery .will be substantially. concentric with the-plate 20. The pressure of spring 48 appliedto arm also causes the forked end 42 of said arm to press the trunnion 25 against the guide 33 to limit the forward movement of the. drum. -During each rotation of crank 39 slot 46 in link results in lost-motion of the link so the drum will remain stationary for a period in it's foremost position and, during the remaining portion of each-revolution, the outer end of slot 46 period. As the drum is moved rearwardly, it will gradually carry'the sign out of focus with respect to screen 20 so that the image of the exhibitor on screen" 20' will' fade out and variations in color effects will be produced in lieu 'thereof according to thecolors of the picture or descriptive matter on the exhibitorafter they pass out of focus.

While the sign'on the drum is out of focus a.

quarterj tum will. be imparted to the drum on its axis to successively.. expose the segments of the exhibitor on the drum. This is effected by a tooth 49 on guide 33 and a polygonal portion 25 of trunnion 25. Toward the end of the backward stroke of link 45 the rear lower .comer of polygonal portion 25" of stud 25 will be engaged by tooth 49 andthe arm 40 will continue to move rearwardly so the stud25 will be rotated a quarter turn as the succeeding flat face of polygonal portion 25 rides over the top of tooth 49, and onto the rear portion of guide 33. An arm pivoted at 5i to bracket 34 engages the top of polygonal portion 25 of trunnion 25 and is pressed downwardly by a spring 52 so that the drum will be heldagainst rotation by guide 33 andsaid arm except during the engagements of the stud with tooth 49. This exemplifies simple, poweroperated mechanism, for intermittentlymoving the drum and' rotatingit to bring the sign into and out of focus and to successively bring segments of the exhibitor into position for exposure.

Inoperation, the motor 36 will continuously rotate. shaft38. Assuming the drum to be in its foremost position, as illustrated in Fig. 3 the lamp 28 will illuminate the segment of the'exhibitor- -adlacent cylindrically curved screen 20. Said segment will be substantially concentric with screen' 20 so'that an image ofthe'matter on said segmentwill be projected to and focused on the translucent screen'20 and will be clearly legible to an observer. In the course of each rotation of crank 39, link 45 will intermittently engage and shift arm 40 to move the stud 25 and drum bodily rearward and awayjrom plate 20, as illustrated in Fig; 4. During this movement of the drum, the image of the last exposed segment of the exhibitor will pass out of focus, fade out, and produce variations of mixed or blended color effects on screen 20 according to the colors used in the exhibitor. As the crank 39 approaches the rear end of its stroke, the rear vertical face of polygonal portion 25' of trunnion 25 will engage tooth 49 and a quarter of a revolution will be imparted to the drum. Arm 50 engages the top face of polygonal portion- 25 to press-its bottom-face against the topedge of guide-plate 33 so that the drum will be held against further rotation. During the forward stroke of link 45,

spring 48 will hold stud 41 against the front end of slot 46 until the movement of arm 40 is arrestedby trunnion'25 and in the position illustrated in Fig. 3, whereupon the drum will remain ,stationaryand the link 45 will move idly until,

I during theback-stroke of link 45 the front end will engage trunnion 25 and swing arm 40 rear-' wardly to move the drum bodily away from plate of slot 46 again engages trunnion 25, whereupon -the operatio'n-will be repeated During the idle rdetermined period before it, isfmov ed out of focus. The rotation of the drum" for changing the exhibitor segments for exposure occurswhile the sign isout of focus so that different color effects will be produced onscreen, while the sign is out of focus. I

A compartment for the displa'y'of merchandise is provided in the top of thebox or casing. The bottom of the compartment is formed of a translucent plate 56 which is supported by anglestrips 51 secured to the backand sides of the box. The 28 will project light through the exhibitor tothe translucent plate 56 forming the bottom of compartment 55 and illuminate the merchandise displayed in sad compartment. During the rotation of thedrum different color effects will be produced in the compartment for attracting observers to the merchandise.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure 'by Letters Patent is: v

1. In an illuminated exhibitor sign, the combination of a casing having a window provided with a curved translucent screen, a conformably curved exhibitor-adapted for the passage of light therethrough, illuminating means disposed to project light through the exhibitor onto the screen, and means for. moving the exhibitor to and from the screen to alternately focus the image on the screen and to bring the image out of focus and produce variations therein on the screen while the exhibitor remains positioned to retain, and is illuminated toproject, the image onto the screen.

2. In an illuminated exhibitor sign, the combination of a casing having a window provided with' a curved translucent screen, a conformably curved rotatable exhibitor adapted for the passage of light therethrough, illuminating means disposed to project light through the exhibitor onto the screen, means for moving the exhibitor to and from the screen to alternately focus the image on the screen and to bring the image out of focus and produce variations therein on the screen while the exhibitor remains positioned to retain, and is illuminated to project, the image onto the screen, and means for intermittently rotating the exhibitor to project different arcuate portions thereof onto the screen;

3. In an illuminated exhibitorsign, the combination of a casing having a window provided with a curved translucent screen, a conformably curved exhibitor adapted for the passage of light therethrough, a rotatable drum on 'which the exhibitor is mounted, illuminating means disposed to project light through the exhibitor onto the screen, means for moving the exhibitor to and from the screen to alternately focus the image on the screen and to bring the image out of focus and produce variations therein on the screen while the exhibitor remains positioned to retain, and is illuminated to project, the image onto the screen, and means for intermittently rotating the drumto bring successive portions of the exhibitor into operative relation with the screen.

4. In an illuminated exhibitor sign, the combination of a casing having a window provided with a curved translucent screen, a conformably curved exhibitor adapted for the passage of light therethrough, a rotatable drum on which the exhibitor is mounted, illuminating means disposed to project light through the exhibitor onto the screen, means for moving the exhibitor to and from the screen to alternately focus the image on the screen and to bring the image out of focus and produce variations therein on the screen while the exhibitor remains positioned to retain, and is illuminated to project, the image onto the screen, and means for intermittently rotating the drum while the image from the exhibitor is out of focus.

5. In an illuminated exhibitor sign, the combination of a casing having a window provided with a cylindrically curved translucent screen, a slidably supported exhibitor conformably curved to the screen and adapted for the passage of light therethrough, illuminating means for projecting light through the exhibitor onto the screen, and means for slidably shifting the exhibitor to and from the screen to alternately focus the image on the screen and to bring the image out of focus and produce variations therein on the screen while the exhibitor remains positioned to retain, and is illuminated to project, the image on the screen.

6. In an illuminated exhibitor sign, the combination of a casing having a window provided with a cylindrically curved translucent screen, a slidably supported rotatable drum, an exhibitor on the periphery of the drum adapted for the passage of light therethrough, illuminating means for projecting light through the exhibitor onto the screen, means for slidably shifting the drum with the exhibitor thereon to and from the screen to alternately focus the image on the screen and to bring the image out of focus and produce variations therein on the screen while the exhibitor remains positioned to retain, and is illuminated to project, the image on the screen, and means for intermittently rotating the drum while the image from the exhibitor is out of focus.

7. In an illuminated exhibitor-sign, the combination of a casing having a window provided with a cylindrically curved translucent screen, a rotatable drum, an exhibitor on the periphery of the drum adapted for the passage of light therethrough, illuminating means for projecting light through the exhibitor onto the screen. means for intermittently moving the drum relatively to the screen to alternately bring the exhibitor into focus thereon and to cause the exhibitor to fade to produce variations of the image thereof on the screen, and means, operated by the movement of the drum, for intermittently rotating the drum to bring successive portions of the exhibitor into-operative relation with the 8. In an illuminated exhibitor sign, the combination of a casing having a window provided with a cylindrically curved translucent screen, an exhibitor curved conformably to the screen and adapted for the passage of light there through, a stationary lamp for projecting light through the exhibitor to the screen, the exhibitor being disposed between the lamp and the screen, and means for shifting the exhibitor toward and away from the lamp and screen to alternately focus the image on the screen and to' bring the image out of focus and produce variations therein on the screen while the exhibitor remains positioned to retain, and is illuminated to project, the image on the screen.

9. The combination of a casing having a window provided with a cylindrically curved translucent screen, a drum, an exhibitor around the periphery of the drum adapted for the passage of light therethrough, illuminating means for projecting light through the exhibitor and onto the screen, means for supporting the drum at its ends, comprising a trunnion at one end, a guide on which the trunnion is adapted to slide, means for intermittently shifting the trunnion to move the drum to and from the screen comprising an arm engaging the trunnion, a link and a crank, and an electric motor for driving the crank.

10. The combination of a casing having a window provided with a cylindrically curved translucent screen, a drum, an exhibitor around the periphery of the drum and adapted for the passage of light therethrough, illuminating means for projecting light through the exhibitor and onto the screen, means for supporting the drum at its ends, comprising a trunnion at one end, a guide on which the trunnion is adapted to slide, means for intermittently shifting the trunnion to move the drum to and from the screen comprising a slotted arm engaging the trunnion, a link and a crank, and an electric motor for driving the crank.

11. The combination of a casing having a window provided .with a cylindrically curved translucent screen, a drum, an exhibitor around the periphery of the drum adapted for the passage of light to the plate, illuminating means for projecting light through the exhibitor and onto the screen, means for supporting the drum at its ends, comprising a trunnion at one end, a guide on which the trunnion is adapted to slide, springmeans for pressing the trunnion against the guide, means for shifting the trunnion to move the drum to and from the screen comprising a slotted arm engaging the trunnion, a link and a crank, and an electric motor for driving the crank.

12. The combination of a casing having a window provided with a cylindrically curved translucent screen, a drum, an exhibitor around the periphery of the drum, adapted for the passage of light therethrough, illuminating means for projecting light through the exhibitor and onto the screen, means for supporting the drum at its ends, comprising a trunnion at one end, a guide on which the trunnion is adapted to slide, means for shifting the trunnion to move the drum to and from the screen, means operable by the movement of the drum, for intermittently rotating the drum, and an electric motor for operating the shifting means.

13. The combination of a casing having a window provided with a cylindrically curved translucent screen, a drum, an exhibitor around the periphery of the drum, adapted for the passage of light therethrough, illuminating means for projecting light through the exhibitor and onto the screen, means for supporting the drum at its ends, comprising a trunnion at one end, a guide on which the trunnion is adapted to slide, means for shifting the trunnion to move the drum to and from the screen, the drum and guide being provided with intermittently engaging means for rotating the drum, and a motor for operating the shifting means.

14. In an illuminated exhibitor sign, the combination of a casing having a window provided with a translucent screen, an exhibitor adapted for the passage of light therethrough, il1uminat ing means disposed to project light through the exhibitor onto the screen, and means for moving the exhibitor toward and away from the screen in a plane which will alternately focus the image on the screen and bring the image out of focus to produce variations therein on the screen while the exhibitor remains positioned to retain, and is illuminated to project, the image onto the screen.

15. In an illuminated exhibitor sign, the combination of a casing having a window provided with a. translucent screen, a rotatable exhibitor adapted for the passage of light therethrough, illuminating means disposed to project light through the exhibitor onto the screen, means for moving the exhibitor toward and away from the screen in a plane which will alternately focus the image on the screen and bring the image out of focus to produce variations therein on the screen while the exhibitor remains positioned to retain, and is illuminated to project, the image onto the screen, and means forintermittently rotating the exhibitor to project different arcuate portions thereof onto the screen while the image is out of focus.

ARTHUR H. BUCKLEY. 

